ASB Classic tournament director Karl Budge. Photo: Photosport Budge has been in the role for nine years, during which time he has led the tennis tournament through a period of unprecedented growth in terms of attendance, revenue, and international coverage, and transformed the ASB Classic into the must attend event on the Auckland social calendar. During his time at the helm, tennis fans have seen some of the biggest names in world sport take to centre court at the ASB Tennis Arena, including Ana Ivanovic, Juan Martin del Porto, Venus Williams, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Caroline Wozniacki, Naomi Osaka and 2020 champion Serena Williams.